MILWAUKEE-Rockwell Automation Inc., announces it has an agreement to buy Datasweep Inc., San Jose, CA, a privately held company in manufacturing production management software solutions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Datasweep currently serves major customers in the pharmaceutical, high-tech electronics, automotive and medical device industries. The Datasweep management team and their employees will join the Rockwell Software organization. In addition, Rockwell Automation will integrate and then rebrand Datasweep Advantage software products into its newly introduced FactoryTalk integrated production management and performance suite.

"This strategic acquisition emphasizes our commitment to deliver a world-class, plant-wide information software suite that drives manufacturing excellence," says Steve Eisenbrown, senior vice president of the company's Automation Control and Information Group. "Incorporating Datasweep technology with the FactoryTalk production disciplines enables us to help manufac-turers convert day-to-day operations data into business knowledge for timely decision-making - and that means lower costs, better quality, higher productivity and improved flexibility."